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Ukrainian president 'set to return after sick leave'

Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovich is set to return to work on Monday after a period of sick leave, a statement on the presidential website said. Thousands of anti-government protesters have gathered in central Kiev to demand his resignation.

Ukrainian protester 'cut and crucified by kidnappers'

An opposition activist who went missing in Ukraine has been found bloodied and beaten and claims kidnappers crucified him during a week-long torture ordeal.

Dmytro Bulatov said he was kept in the dark throughout as attackers nailed him to a cross, cut his face and sliced off a piece of his ear before dumping him in a forest eight days later.

The 35-year-old, who vanished on January 22, was found in a village near Kiev on Thursday and taken to hospital.

"There isn't a spot on my body that hasn't been beaten," he told local Channel 5 television. "Thank God I am alive."

Mr Bulatov was part of a group of car owners involved in protests against Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who today signed an amnesty bill for protesters, due to come into force shortly.

An investigation into the attack on Mr Bulatov has been opened, though BBC News has reported a separate row has erupted after the protest leader was put on a police wanted list for allegedly organising mass unrest.